Ok so this has part one of the television interview...otherwise the chapter would've been hell long!
Chapter 33
At about 2:30am Bruno and Steph were waiting outside Alvin and Brittany's tent, waiting for Alex, who was over waking Theodore and Eleanor up.
They came over sleepily, Alex asking in a whisper, "Should we get Simon and Jeanette to help out?"
Theodore shook his head and whispered back, "This isn't something Simon would, ya know, approve of"
Steph shrugged, "Their loss" she knelt and very slowly and quietly unzipped the tent door and crawled in.
Using her phone she shined the dim light in Brittany's face, and rolled her eyes when she saw Brittany fast asleep, her phone buzzing on the floor on silent.
Steph turned back, "Dammit, Britt's asleep"
Bruno urged her, "Then wake her up"
Steph rolled her eyes and went over to Brittany poking her to get her to wake up as Bruno and Eleanor watched in from the doorway.
Slowly Brittany opened her eyes and was about to scream at the dark figure by her bedside, when a hand came and quickly covered her mouth and a dim light came up to reveal it was Steph.
Brittany frowned and pulled Steph's hand off, whispering softly, "What the hell Steph?"
Steph frowned back, "You fell asleep...you're supposed to be making sure Mr Bigshot is asleep"
Suddenly there was a grunt followed by a mumbled, "Ahh fank you been sho shilver"
Bruno sniggered at the doorway and whispered out to Brittany, "Thank you for being so silver? Was that what that was? Alvin talks in his sleep?"
Brittany rolled off the mattress carefully and picked up a jacket, wrapping it round her and ducked outside, followed by Steph.
She smiled at Bruno, and flicked her hair out from the jacket, "Yeah...That's how you know he's in a deep sleep"
Theodore asked, "Does it bug you? I know he used to drive me crazy growing up"
Brittany shrugged and huddled close to Eleanor, "Mm, it used to...now I'm used to it"
Theodore chuckled a little, "Simon did tell me a trick that if you time it right, you can have a conversation with him...we did it a few times"
Steph covered her mouth from laughter, "That's awesome"
Alex looked back in at Alvin, sprawled out over the mattress and back at Theodore, "I heard you can also get them to confess secrets, but you can only ask the question once"
Steph's eyes lit up, "Let's do that! We could dish out a whole heap of truths"
Brittany shook her head, "You're not trying anything till I've got everything I need to know first"
Steph looked at her, "What more do you need to know? You've seen the guy naked"
Brittany shook her head as Eleanor bounced a little from the chill in the air, "Ok, so can we figure out how to do this? I'm getting a little cool here"
Theodore wrapped his arm round her and rubbed her arms to keep her warm as Bruno nodded in the tent, "Well, this is gonna be the most difficult part" he looked at Alex and Theodore, "I'm gonna need your help to manoeuvre the mattress through the doorway"
Brittany judged the space, "Will it fit?"
Steph smiled excitedly, "We'll make it %$# ing fit, this is gonna be too hilarious for us not to at least try"
Bruno nodded, "If we need to we'll just twist it a little, carefully so Alvin doesn't roll off, and edge it out that way"
Eleanor leant down, scratching her leg from another mosquito, asking, "What do you want us girls to do?"
Bruno stepped in the tent and replied, "Just be ready to pull when we need it"
The girls nodded as Alex and Theodore followed Bruno into the tent.
It was a little crowded, and there wasn't really room to stand up properly, but the guys managed to position themselves around the mattress as Alvin grumbled something again, this time about a chicken, or it could've been schnitzel it was all mumbled, making the guys all snigger.
Bruno knelt down on one side with Alex opposite and Theodore at the foot of the mattress and motioned for them to pick it up slightly and shift it down towards the door.
With team effort they managed to slowly and carefully edge the mattress to the doorway without disturbing Alvin at all.
Bruno and Theodore switched places so Bruno could lead the move outside.
He stood, puffing a little and looked at the mattress and the doorway, "I think it'll fit, but it's gonna be tight"
He instructed the girls to come under the foot of the mattress and be ready to pull as he nodded at Alex and Theodore to push and slide.
With much heaving, sliding, grunting and the occasional dream like conversation from Alvin (Causing everyone to pause and laugh quietly again) they managed to pull the mattress outside and rested it (and themselves) on the ground.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, Steph put her hands on her hips and took a few deep breaths and looked at Bruno, "Ok, so where to now?"
Bruno took a breath in and exhaled heavily, pointing to beyond the trees, "The lake is just behind them trees, and I think there's a path we can use so we're not going through scrub and sh*t"
Alex shook his head, "Sh*t this better be worth it"
Alvin mumbled, "Where sa blankie?" and searched the bed a little with his hand before letting it come to rest up near his head.
Steph smiled, her eyebrows furrowed and looked over at Brittany and Theodore, "Blankie? What the %$# ?"
Theodore and Brittany exchanged a glance; Theodore shaking his head slightly, mouthing the word, "Don't" as Brittany agreed with her eyes and looked back at Steph, "Just random mumblings I guess" she shrugged.
Steph looked at her and folded her arms, "No way, there's something to this 'blankie' thing isn't there?"
Brittany shook her head, "Uhh, no?"
Steph frowned, "You don't sound convincing"
Brittany sighed, "Steph, just leave it" as Alex nodded, "Yeah, come on, we gotta get this thing to the lake, before Alvin wakes up"
Steph took a last look at Brittany before nodding and taking her position at one side of the mattress.
With them all crouching beside the mattress, their hands under the mattress, Bruno nodded and whispered, "Lift!"
Then slowly they shuffled and carried the mattress with Alvin down to the lake's edge, where they carefully lowered the mattress on the water's edge.
Steph smiled triumphantly, "I feel like we should say something before we launch S.S Alvin"
Eleanor sighed, "How about, 'See ya' and we all go back to bed?" she walked over and flipped all the edges of the sleeping bag, (which Alvin and Brittany had opened to form more of a blanket) back onto the mattress.
The others agreed as Steph shrugged, "Not the creativity I was going for, but short and sweet, I like it" she knelt at the head of the mattress and blew a little kiss to Alvin before Alex and Bruno helped to launch the mattress into the water.
They all stood on the side as they watched it float slowly and steadily towards the middle of the lake.
Brittany clutched at her stomach, "I feel bad...maybe we shouldn't have done this?"
Steph laughed a little, "Too late now" and she started back to camp followed by Alex and Bruno.
Eleanor wrapped her arms round Brittany in a loose sideways hug, hanging from her shoulders, "Just a bit of fun Britt...Alvin can take a joke" and headed back with Theodore as Brittany watched the mattress with Alvin, floating into the middle of the lake, "I hope he can see the funny side in the morning then" and turned to get some sleep before the morning arrived.
The sun rose and slowly warmed over Alvin's face, making him stir to consciousness.
He laid on his stomach, with one arm under his pillow, his hand draping over the edge of the mattress just a few inches from the water's surface.
He smacked his lips together before frowning and shielding his face muttering out, "Britt, close the door, sun's coming in"
He waited for her to reply and slowly opened one eye to notice she wasn't there.
"Huh?" he lifted his head and blinked a few times.
He rubbed his face and looked around, his surroundings focusing into a clearer image as his eyes adjusted.
He let out a small cry, "%$# no way...they wouldn't"
Slowly he sat up, careful not to sway the mattress too much and ran his hands through his hair, "%$# it...they did"
He couldn't help but laugh a little and shake his head, "Evil genius"
He looked about and pulled at the edges of the sleeping bag to haul a corner that was drifting in the water.
He wrung it out and dropped it on the mattress and shifted himself to the middle of the mattress.
For a second he sat there then said to himself, "Well, how the %$# do I get back?"
He looked out to the sides of the lake, then across to the other side and scratched his head, "Sh*t, which way do I even go?"
Back at camp, everyone was awake and ready for the day; greeting each other good morning and all.
Simon took a seat next to Brittany and looked about then at her, "Alvin's not awake yet?"
Steph snorted and covered her mouth, laughing.
Simon looked at her puzzled then folded his arms, "What have you done?"
Alex and Bruno joined in the laughter as Bruno smiled at Simon, "Oh I think he'd be awake by now"
Simon stood up and walked over, peering into Alvin and Brittany's tent.
He turned and shook his head, a small smile across his face, "Where the hell have you put him?"
Steph doubled over laughing and slid off her chair.
Jeanette looked at the ground and saw some marks in the dirt and looked off towards the trees, "Did you push Alvin into the lake on a mattress?"
Bruno clapped his hands, "You solved the mystery"
Simon took his glasses of and rubbed his eyes, "You at least gave him something to paddle back with didn't you?" he put his glasses back on and looked up and was responded with blank faces.
He sighed, "How's he supposed to get back to shore?"
Steph laughed again as Bruno added, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that"
Alex shrugged, "It was like 3am, who thinks about the fine details at that hour?"
Jeanette brushed her hair behind her ears, "Well, maybe we should go and check he's ok then"
Steph nodded, still giggling, "Yeah I think he's learnt his lesson now"
They all headed down to the lake's edge.
Alvin wasn't terribly bothered not to have anything to use as paddles to get back, he was mostly just bored.
He'd already counted 12 birds that'd flown overhead, he saw a timid deer on the other side of the lake having a drink and now he was just lounging.
Waiting.
He'd decided to wait til the others appeared at whichever side of the lake before he started heading in any direction, in case he was heading one way when he should've been heading the other.
He lay on his stomach in the middle of the mattress, resting on his arms and working on his tan, figuring he should make the most from the morning sun.
He lifted his head a little as he saw a few figures group on the edge of the lake and thought, "Ok, so I head in that direction"
Steph cupped her hands over her mouth, "MORNING SUNSHINE!"
Alvin hollered back, "TOOK YOUR TIME!" he shifted the pillows under his arms, "HOW THE %$# DO I GET BACK NOW?"
Steph looked at Simon, "Any ideas?"
Simon looked out to Alvin floating on the mattress and smirked as Alvin waved.
He waved back and looked at the others, "Someone could swim out to him?"
Steph shook her head, "%$# that, I wouldn't strip off to get in that lake"
Brittany laughed, "Yes you would"
Steph smirked, "OK so maybe I would...but I'm not gonna"
Alvin made popping noises with his mouth before looking over his shoulder and shuffling down the mattress till his feet were in the water.
He made a slight yelp when he put them in, "Sh*t that's a little colder than I thought it would be"
Steadily he started to kick his way back over saying to himself, "You want anything done, gotta do it yourself...sh*t I hope there's nothing in this lake"
Eleanor pointed out to the lake, "He's moving"
The others looked out and saw that indeed the mattress was slowly floating back towards the shore.
Steph folded her arms and smiled, "See? He's a smart cookie, he's got it all figured out"
Every now and then Alvin had to shift himself up, just to see how far he had left to go.
He was kicking away gently then had to rest a little and let his feet drift in the water briefly to give them a break.
Suddenly he felt something wrap itself slowly around his ankle.
He jerked his foot to try and get it out of the water, but only tangled it more.
Grunting and trying to free his ankle, (and stay on the mattress) Alvin rolled himself to his side and edged closer to the water, and reached down to try and free whatever had tangled his ankle.
It felt like seaweed, or some kind of sea grass.
Brittany pointed out to the water, "What's he doing?"
Alex's face fell, "Something's not right"
Brittany looked at him then back out to the water, along with everyone else.
Steph furrowed her brow, "OK this isn't funny now"
Panting, Alvin felt the tension around his ankle tighten and made an aggravated noise as he furiously tried to pull his foot free.
But every time he felt like he'd loosened the seagrass, more just waded around and entangled him further.
He tried once more and then he felt the slight tip of the mattress as his weight shifted further to the edge.
His eyes widened as he started to slide yelling out then managed to take a deep breath before sliding into the water.
The others watched as the mattress flipped over on itself and held their breath.
After a second or two, the tears had already formed in Brittany's eyes, "Where is he?" she turned frantically at Simon, "Simon? Where is he?"
Under the murky water, Alvin couldn't make out much.
He was tangled in the sea grass and looked in the direction he assumed was up to see a huge square shape floating above him, the blue sky reflecting around it.
Stretching up he tried pulling his legs free as he swam upwards.
While he managed to hit at the mattress, pushing it aside slightly, but not much, his legs were secured to the sea grass.
Simon took his shirt off, and dropped his glasses on top, "He's in trouble" and ran into the water.
Alex and Bruno looked at each other before taking their shirts off and heading into the water, swimming out to the mattress and where'd they'd last seen Alvin.
Brittany looked on frantically as Jeanette held her, reassuring her that the guys would get Alvin out, "Don't worry, he'll be ok, they'll get him, look they're nearly there"
Eleanor was reassuring Theodore, who'd dropped himself to the ground and sat curled up, "I, I can't do anything, there's nothing I can do" he said with wide eyes looking out at the water.
Eleanor hugged him and tried soothing him by running her fingers through his hair, "It's ok; it'll be ok"
Steph held her hand to her head, panicking, and paced the shore line, "Sh*t, this wasn't supposed to happen"
Under the water Alvin forgot the one thing you're never supposed to do in a situation like this; panic.
Desperate to get free, he summoned his strength and thrust his legs upwards, pulling them free.
But while he got his feet free, he'd used the last of his energy to do so and very quickly found himself almost gagging for breath.
Suddenly his body became heavy and he had to stop fighting it and felt his body start to sink downwards.
The guys had reached the mattress and pushed it aside in the water.
Simon looked down and just managed to spot the glimmer of Alvin's hand as he sunk down.
Without warning, Simon dove under but struggled to see anything; it didn't help the water was murky, but that and his poor eyesight without his glasses meant he'd be swimming blind.
He came up just as quickly, gasping, and flicked the water from his hair, "I can't see anything under there, but I saw Alvin go under"
Alex searched around and took a chance, taking a deep breath and diving down in the spot Simon had just come up from.
He opened his eyes and swam downwards, reaching out with his hand, until, finally he felt Alvin's arm.
Alvin had sunk to the bottom of the lake.
Alex reached under Alvin's armpits and positioned himself to push off the lake floor back upwards when he felt a tap on his shoulder and looked to see a murky figure of Bruno, who'd come down to help.
Bruno latched under Alvin's right arm, while Alex latched under the left.
Then together they pushed off the lake floor and kicked back up to the surface.
Breaking through the water surface, Alex and Bruno gasped for air as they waded over to the mattress, where Simon had already climbed aboard and together they thrust Alvin up onto the mattress, where Simon pulled him aboard.
Alex looked at Simon, and wiped the water from his face, "He out of it"
Simon tried to calm himself and think, as Bruno and Alex started pushing and kicking the mattress towards land.
Simon looked down at Alvin and felt for a pulse.
He found one, but it was getting weaker.
"Kiss of life Simon!" Bruno called out.
Simon darted a panicked look at Bruno and then back at Alvin.
He closed his eyes and took a breath in, edging closer to Alvin's mouth, pushed all other thoughts aside and puffed a breath into Alvin, who almost instantly (thank goodness), responded by coughing.
Simon reeled back and then moved to help Alvin roll onto his side as he coughed up water and phlegm before collapsing back on the mattress, gasping for breath.
Alex called out, "He ok?"
Simon gave a sigh of relief, "I think he'll be ok...I hope he'll be ok...just get us back to shore"
He looked down at Alvin, steadily breathing, exhausted.
The girls and Theodore had watched the whole rescue from the shore and were just as relieved when they saw Alvin kick into life again.
Nearing the shore line now, Brittany raced into the water and helped pull the mattress onto the shore.
Simon knelt beside Alvin and instructed everyone to move back, "Give him room!"
They watched as Alvin slowly came to and blinked his eyes open, and coughed a little as Simon helped him sit up as Alvin ran his hands through his hair and felt the remnants of water trickle down his back
He held his head in his hands and tried to take slow breaths in as Steph and Brittany fell onto their knees beside him; Brittany wrapping her arms around him and kissing him on the cheek.
Steph just sat there with her mouth open, "Alvin, I am so sorry, %$# I'm so, so sorry" her eyes were all glassy.
He took a breath in and looked over at her, reaching out and squeezing her hand, managing to get out, "Whose idea?"
Bruno put his hand up sheepishly, "Uh, mine, sorry man...seriously I'm real sorry"
Alvin swung his head round and looked up at Bruno and gave a weak smile, "It was turning out into a pretty funny prank...til just now" he smiled again.
Bruno gave a nervous laugh, relieved Alvin wasn't pissed off at him as Alvin added "I was doing alright...till my ankle got caught"
Brittany held Alvin's face in her hands and turned him to face her, giving him multiple kisses on his lips.
He pulled her away gently, laughing a little, "Britt, I'm ok, gimme some air"
She sat back on her knees as Alvin looked over at Simon, who looked a little shocked and leant over, hugging him, "Thanks Si"
He sat back as Simon shook his head, "Wasn't me" he pointed at Alex and Bruno, "Those guys got you out of there" he lowered his head, "I, I couldn't see anything"
Alvin gave a weak smile and shook his head, "Si, don't beat yourself up"
Alex added, "Yeah but Simon, you got him...you know...back to life"
Alvin lowered his eyebrows, a little confused and back at Simon, "You didn't have to..."
His voice trailed off as Simon gave a small nod.
Alvin's eyes widened a little, as he smiled at Simon, "Whoa...that's insane"
Simon just shrugged, "Couldn't lose ya" and crowned Alvin's fist.
Alvin smiled, "Yeah...what would you do without me?" he laughed then went into a small coughing fit.
He turned and coughed more water up, "Ugh...Mmm, lake water"
He sat up again, shaking his head and took another few deep breaths before looking around.
He saw Theodore still huddled into Eleanor, and beckoned for him to come over.
Reluctantly he did, unable to make eye contact, and knelt down as Steph stood up and cuddled next to Alex, reaching her hand out and squeezing Bruno's hand.
Alvin wrapped his arm round his little brother's shoulders and whispered in his ear, "You ok?"
Theodore whimpered back, "Y-yes" he lowered his head a little, "I'm sorry, I did nothing to help"
Alvin shook his head, "Theo, it's alright...I totally understand" he gave Theodore a gentle reassuring squeeze on his shoulder.
It was only known between the brothers and Eleanor that Theodore had a huge fear of swimming in open water.
Ever since he was younger, he developed this fear of the ocean, in particular the waves and just how big it was.
Dave had tried to comfort him, by staying with him and wading out, carrying him, until Theodore started wailing and begged to be taken back to shore.
Rather than wanting to be clawed by Theodore, Dave would wade back and sit with him on the safety of the beach until Simon and Alvin were finished in the water.
Simon and Alvin had tried a number of methods to help Theodore overcome his fear.
Alvin had once tried to help Theodore overcome his fear, by getting him to close his eyes and think of not being afraid and even suggested Theodore sing a song with him to help calm his nerves as he swam and pulled Theodore further out into the open water.
Theodore was doing great until Alvin stopped singing, (because he was catching his breath a little...it was hard work pulling your little brother to help him overcome his fears and sing at the same time) and he opened his eyes and panicked.
Alvin tried to calm him down, but Theodore wouldn't listen and instead of treading water, he just stopped swimming and soon sunk under the water.
He was only under for less than 30seconds, but as Alvin pulled him back up and to safety, he couldn't stop shaking.
And had never been swimming in open water again, for the fear that would happen again; and now he'd just seen his nightmare come to life but with his older brother.
Alvin smiled and hugged Theodore again, "Gonna take more than a little lake water to get me down bro", making Theodore smile a little, before attempting to stand up, Simon and Brittany quickly helping him stand upright.
Once standing, Alvin swayed a little before his lips started shivering, "OK, I call shots on the first shower" and raised his hand in the air, before being helped back to camp by Simon and Brittany, leaving Alex, Theodore and Bruno to drag the mattress back, while Jeanette and Eleanor took the pillows and sleeping bag with them.
After explaining to the Ranger what'd happened, he'd insisted on them waiting for a paramedic to check them over.
Patiently they waited as the paramedics gave all the guys a once over check up and concluded they'd all be fine.
They gave them all an injection just as a precaution, though in case there was anything in the lake that might cause them to become ill.
Then they could finally get back on the road and head to Albuquerque, hopefully in time for the TV show they'd be appearing on the following day.
Steph sat in silence as Alex drove along the road.
She sat playing with the charms on her bracelet.
Bruno and Brittany were sitting at the booth with Alvin, making sure he was ok.
"Seriously, I'm ok...a little longer and it might have been a different story, but right now I am ok" he said, holding his hands up to stop them fussing over him.
Steph looked at Alex then unclipped her belt and walked to the booth, sliding in next to Bruno.
She reached out and took hold of Alvin's hand, "Again, I'm really, really sorry"
Alvin smiled and squeezed her hand, "Steph, babe, I'm ok, really"
Steph lowered her head, and spoke softly, "I don't know what I'd do without my best friend" she looked up and wiped her eyes, "You've always been there for me"
Alvin smiled and rolled his eyes, "C'mere" he stood and came around, leaning down and hugged Steph, "Now stop with all this sh*t ok?"
Steph smiled, "Look, you can get me back" she thought a moment, "I'll...I'll sit in a bathtub full of cockroaches"
Alvin laughed as she shuddered at her own idea, "As hilarious as that would be...I'm not gonna get you back, don't worry...look like I said, I found it pretty funny that you guys managed to even get me down there without me stirring"
Bruno thought back to when they were in the tent and Alvin's night time mumbles and let out a small laugh.
Alvin looked at him, "What's so funny?"
Bruno looked up, smiling, "Oh nothing...but thank you for being so silver"
Alvin looked very confused as Steph, Alex and Brittany all started laughing and giggling along with Bruno.
Alvin sat back down and looked at Brittany, "Sh*t what'd I say this time?"
Brittany just shook her head as Steph smiled, "Where is your blankie Alvin?"
Alvin's eyes grew wide and his face fell, "%$# ...I didn't say that did I?"
Steph folded her arms, "What the hell is the deal with the blankie? Can't widdle Alvie get to sweep without his widdle bubba blankie?" she giggled, making Bruno smile and even Alex laugh from the driver's seat.
Alvin rolled his eyes and stood, heading into the back room, coming back moments later with his cap.
Steph looked at it and back at Alvin, "Yep, that's your cap...you call your cap blankie? That's pretty lame Alvin"
Alvin sighed and sat down, turning his cap over and unfolding the inner hem to pull out a small square of raggedy fabric, about the size of a large postage stamp.
Steph looked at the small piece of cloth and back at Alvin, "Sh*t you really have a piece of your baby blanket?"
Alvin nodded and turned the square round in his hands, "Yeah...it's from the blanket our mum left us in when she left us on Dave's doorstep" he shrugged, "Kinda like a good luck charm...I take it everywhere with me" he folded it and put it back in its spot and put the cap on his head, "This is why my cap is so damn important to me"
Steph looked at Bruno, who was equally silent and over at Brittany who just gave a weak smile and shrugged.
Alvin leant back in the booth, "There ya go, big scandal, rock star still needs to hold onto baby blanket for security".
Steph cocked her head to the side, "It's not that big a scandal"
Alvin smirked a little, "Yeah well I'd appreciate if this didn't get out and about, ok?"
Steph and Bruno nodded as Alex called out, "Not a soul"
Alvin smiled, "Thanks" and took off his cap, flicking it into the bedroom, where it landed with a soft thud on the bed.
There was a little pause as Steph smiled at him, and leant on the table, "What other crazy sh*t have you said?"
Alvin swayed his head a little, thinking, and looked at Brittany, "Help me out, what else have I said?"
Brittany shrugged, "Ask Simon or Theodore, they'd know more than me"
Alvin tapped the table, "Uhh, well I've talked about penguins before...and yeah" he looked at Bruno, "The silver thing has come up before...dunno where that's from...and for some reason I went through a stage where apparently I wouldn't shut up about wanting to meet Donkey Kong...I actually remember Simon belting me with a pillow and waking me up, telling me, "Say one more thing about Donkey Kong and I'll smother you in your sleep!""
Steph looked at him, "Donkey Kong?"
Alvin shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine. I just used to repeat, "I wanna meet Donkey Kong" and "Donkey Kong is here now" you know, sh*t like that"
Bruno shifted to lean his back on the wall, folding one leg on the seat and the other under the table, "But you've always talked in your sleep?"
Alvin nodded, "Far as I know, yep"
Alex called back, "You know we could get you to confess a whole lotta sh*t if we wanted?"
Alvin turned and leant on the back of the seat, "Yeah but if I found out you did that, I'm not holding back, you'll all go down"
Alex held up a thumbs up, "Ah, gotcha"
Alvin smiled and turned back to the others, "So I talk in my sleep and I have a piece of my baby blanket with me all the time...what about you guys?"
Steph folded her arms, and smiled smugly, "Nuh-uh, I don't do any crazy sh*t in my sleep"
"Except kick" Alex added.
"Huh?" Steph stood up and walked to the passenger seat as Alex laughed repeating, "You do kick in your sleep sometimes, I swear I have bruises"
She turned back to the others, "Ok, so apparently I kick in my sleep, but that's it" she looked between Alex and Bruno, "That is all right?"
Bruno shrugged as Alex nodded, "So far, yeah"
Steph looked back at Alvin, smiling confidently, "Ha, take that!"
Alvin stood up and walked up to Steph, a smile creeping across his face, "Ah but I know a whole lotta other sh*t about you...uh that you do awake, I mean"
Steph raised her eyebrow, "You're bluffing, everything you know; everyone else does too" she smiled and sat on the passenger seat as Alvin took a seat on the lounge.
"OK" he challenged, "Gym class, diving"
Steph waved him off, "Pfft, please, that's nothing" she turned to the others, "So I was 14, just arrived back at Eastman and we were doing diving for gym"
Brittany started giggling, "I remember this now"
Steph smiled as she continued, "So, I was already pretty top heavy already for a 14 year old and had forgotten we were diving that day, so all the other girls wore their regulation one piece swimsuits and I rocked up in my bikini"
Bruno shook his head, smiling, "I can see where this is leading to"
Steph laughed, "To be fair, the one piece swim suits they sold at school did not fit me. Anyone who says spandex stretches over curves should be %$# ing shot" she shook her head, "It doesn't stretch, it presses and flattens and it hurts"
Alvin hid his face sniggering as Steph looked at him and continued, "Teacher said I couldn't dive...to which I thought meant he was challenging me...so I took up the dare, headed up the ladder to the second highest diving platform and made ready my dive"
Alvin shook his head, "Despite like everyone yelling at her not to"
Steph nodded, "Yeah, so I thought "%$# it, can't be that hard, what's the worst that could happen?" I'd prepared that I would do a somersault, maybe a tuck and end with a perfect dive into the water"
"I kinda realised something was wrong right after I left the platform" Steph started as Alvin interrupted, "She lost her top on the way down!"
The whole RV erupted in laughter as Alvin, amongst laughing and tears starting, called out, "That's not the funniest thing though!" he took a breath in, "After soon realising, she totally freaked out and tried to cover up, resulting in a total bomb into the pool, water everywhere"
Steph shook her head, "Man I'd never seen Mr Roger's face sooo red"
Brittany added, "Yeah about as red as your whole stomach and chest was!"
"Oh yeah I totally slammed the water, massive red smack mark all over the front of me" Steph nodded.
Bruno asked, "So what happened after?"
Steph shrugged, "Oh you know, suspension for not listening to the teacher's instructions, and for flashing the class" she snorted, "Yeah 'cause I like totally %$# ing meant to"
Alvin wiped his eyes and shook his head, "Ok, so you're fine with that one, but I'm just warming up"
Steph held her hands up, "Bring it, what else you got?"
Bruno relaxed his hands behind his head, "We should turn this into a game of 'Have you ever?'"
Steph clapped her hands together, "Oh yeah! OK tonight, we're so playing that" she turned back to Alvin, "Come on, hit me with your best shot"
Alvin smirked, "Alright then, I'll pull out my ace; Jackson Mack's party last summer"
Steph's eyes widened as Alvin settled back against the wall, "Ha, got you there"
Brittany looked between Alvin and Steph, "What party?"
Alvin smiled at her, "You were sick remember?"
Brittany nodded a little, remembering vaguely.
Alex glanced at Steph, "Who's Jeffrey Mack?"
Alvin sniggered, "Steph's ex"
Steph shook her head slightly at Alvin, "How much do you know?"
Alvin shrugged nonchalantly, "Only what I saw...why how much is there to know?" he raised his eyebrows and smiled a little cheekily.
Steph looked away shaking her head, "No, no, no" she twisted in the seat, "Sh*t...%$# " she turned back towards Alvin, "Seriously, what do you know about that night?"
Alex looked a little concerned and glanced again at Steph, "Babe, what happened?"
Alvin sat up a little straighter and looked at Steph, saying slowly, "Steph what else happened?"
Steph stood up and paced the RV, before looming over Alvin, "Tell me what the %$# you know!"
Alvin held his hands up defensively, "Ok, ok...Look, all I was gonna say was the table top dancing strip tease thing you pulled off...that's it right?"
Steph stared at him a moment longer before slowly standing up and leaning back on the bench, "Yeah...yeah that's all" she laughed a little, although they could all tell it was forced, "Made $100 that night for dancing round, flashing a bit here and there, bought me a sweet leather jacket with the moolah"
Alex asked, "Thought you said you wouldn't perform since, you know, what happened when you were 14?"
Bruno looked at Brittany, eyebrows raised, who nodded slightly, and whispered, "Tell ya later"
He nodded as Steph went and sat in the passenger seat again, as everyone else went silent, Alex reaching his hand over and holding her hand supportively, "Sure you're ok?"
Steph nodded, staring straight ahead and responded mechanically, "Everything's fine"
Alex slowly let go of her hand and placed it back on the steering wheel as Steph closed her eyes and lowered her head, zoning out and thinking back.
Jackson Mack's party.
The social event of the whole summer, marking the end of a great football season and celebrating the fact he had graduated.
His parents were away on a business trip, his little sister had been shipped off to summer camp and he had the whole place to himself.
Now, Jackson was known as a bit of a bad boy at school, causing trouble for a laugh and making mischief whenever he could, he was also a year older than everyone else on the football team, making him the immediate go to guy for anything that required an ID.
He was on the football team and Alvin really only hung out with him for that sole reason, not 'cause he considered him, like a friend or anything.
They just didn't have much else in common, but shared a mutual respect of one another.
His parents owned a massive house complete with pool with a bar, spa, sauna, bowling alley not to mention the fact their property backed onto a lake.
Alvin had been invited because he was captain of the football team, and so he rocked up with the rest of the guys.
Brittany had been invited as head cheerleader, with all the other cheerleaders, but she'd fallen ill a few days before and Miss Miller had forbidden her from going to any party.
So she'd said for Alvin to go, and have a great night.
Steph had been invited because she was at that time going out with Jackson – he ticked all her boxes, eye candy, older, bad boy – and they'd been together for about 2 weeks or so, so early days into the relationship.
The party started well, everyone spaced out throughout the house and yard.
Then the drinks came out, and while they were all underage, everyone seemed to have left their consciences' at home.
During the night Steph had somehow been convinced to dance on a table, to which she obliged and performed quite well.
Alvin had only caught what she was doing from across in another room and smirked to himself, shaking his head slightly and continued back with the conversation he was having with another guy from the football team.
However, this was the only time he'd seen Steph the whole party, apart from chatting with her briefly at the beginning, when they'd first arrived.
As the night progressed, Jackson had taken Steph down the back of the property to the boat shed where he'd dressed it up specifically with fairy lights, heaps of floor cushions and was playing soft music.
Under the influence, Steph had willingly gone with him, giggling like a little girl.
He'd lay her down on the cushions and they'd made out for ages, before Jackson wanted something more.
Steph sat up on her elbows and gave him a look, smiling to keep it casual and said, "Geez, I'm not that freakin' easy! Just back up a little and consider yourself lucky you've gotten this far"
Jackson had playfully persisted at first, as Steph, 'playfully', resisted, although she'd started feeling a little uncomfortable, especially since whenever she suggested heading back to the house, he'd insist they stay, that he wouldn't press the idea again.
So they'd stayed and chatted, kissed some more and gazed out at the water.
It was known that Jackson smoked, and it didn't bother Steph too much, she'd smoked a few cigarettes in her time, just the odd one or two, nothing that she claimed made her a 'smoker', but there was something not quite right with what he was smoking.
Instead of the bitter scent of normal nicotine cigarettes, these had a slightly sweet smell to them.
He offered Steph a puff, to which she politely declined.
It made Jackson's eyes all bloodshot and made him jumpy and erratic.
In the end Steph had gotten jack of playing around and was not feeling comfortable at all, so had stood up to leave, but Jackson had grabbed her arm to stop her.
Steph looked back at him and tried pulling her arm free, cursing at him.
Jackson's face then turned menacingly angry as he pulled at Steph, making her collapse to the ground.
Her face was shocked and she was about to tell him where to go, when he pounced on her, holding her hands above her head and pinning her down with his body as he straddled over the top of her.
She thrashed around, but he was incredibly strong, and just grinned at her.
Holding her hands with one hand, he used the other to run over the curves of her body, making Steph feel sick at the thought of him touching her like that, before stopping and undoing his belt.
Steph's eyes widened as she thought about the possibility of what the hell would happen.
She thought of screaming for help, but knew it'd fall on deaf ears; the boat shed was at the far end of the property and the majority of people were still back at the house.
She watched as Jackson wrestled with his pants, edging them down as he steadied his grip on Steph, saying how she had brought this on herself, how she knew she wanted it, and if she'd just let it happen, it'd be easier in the long run.
His eyes were wild, Jackson was not thinking straight, clearly and it was then that it dawned on Steph what he'd been smoking.
The freakin' jackass had been getting high.
Sh*t and he'd wanted her to as well.
What the hell?
And now he was planning on... oh hell no!
Steph squirmed underneath him as he wrestled her still again, pulling her skirt up.
Why the hell had she worn a skirt?
That was stupid.
She looked around and noted her phone, but it was out of reach.
Not that she could've done anything anyway.
She needed to get free, but Jackson weighed a ton and had positioned himself to the advantage.
Steph went from feeling determined and pissed off, to feeling quite afraid and vulnerable.
She hated being in situations that left her out of control.
She hated feeling vulnerable.
And this was defiantly one of those situations.
As Jackson lifted his hips, edging his underwear down, Steph saw the opportunity and raised her knee hard into his groin.
Jackson let out an almighty yell in pain and rolled off her, gripping at himself.
Steph pushed herself back and got to her feet, swiped up her phone and made a dash to the house.
Jackson had watched her run and knew if she got a hold of anyone and told them what he tried to do, his whole life would be ruined; he's not only lose his scholarship to college, but he'd lose the respect of his mates and family.
He couldn't take that chance.
Grimacing through the pain, and pulling his pants back up, he bolted after her, tackling her to the ground, halfway up the yard.
She screamed, but he rolled her over quickly and covered her mouth, telling her to shut up.
She clawed at his hands and shook her body to free herself.
Not thinking clearly, Jackson reached into his back pocket and pulled a flick knife out, holding it against Steph's throat.
She felt the cold steel blade against her skin and her eyes filled with tears; now she was terrified.
Jackson had laughed, nervously, and stroked her hair, the blade skimming past Steph's cheek, claiming how he really loved her and just wanted to make this night special.
Steph breathed in hard, which was made difficult given the fact he was covering her mouth and she could only breathe through her nose.
Jackson was meanwhile, going in and out of trances which changed his moods.
One minute he was stroking her hair, telling her how beautiful he thought she was, the next he was frowning at her, and pressing the blade against her throat, threatening to reef the knife across it.
Steph was getting desperate; he was crushing her legs and she could feel the feeling being lost in her shins, making its way down to her feet and up towards her hips, the sheer weight of his body on hers; she was finding it hard to breathe too.
He'd positioned himself so she couldn't knee him again.
Slowly she reached her hand out, groping at the ground around her, hoping to find something, anything she could use to get him off her.
Finally her hand grabbed onto something that was hard, it felt like a rock.
She waited patiently for the opportune moment when she could defend herself.
So slowly she gripped the rock, tapping her fingers around it, feeling its weight and positioned her hand ready to strike.
Jackson smiled at her and closed his eyes, again raving about how beautiful he thought she was or some sh*t; this was her moment.
Steph summoned her strength and brought her hand quickly up and across, slamming the rock into the side of Jackson's head.
He howled before dropping to her side.
Steph wriggled free and panicked, looked down at him.
She'd knocked him out cold, but he was still gripping the knife.
She had felt a slight sensation of pain and had looked down to see Jackson had slashed her slightly with the knife, the blade cutting through her shirt and had skimmed her stomach.
She looked down and pressed her fingers to it, lifting them up in the light omitted from the house she could only see small spots of blood.
She lifted her shirt and checked to see, but it was more of a graze than an actual laceration.
Steph had taken one last look at Jackson and felt a little pity that she'd knocked him out.
But then he stirred, slurring something which made Steph jump a little and she turned and ran back to the house, dodging lawn furniture and ornaments and drunken bodies strewn across the lawns.
Making it to the house, Steph managed to get through the house and outside again without so much as being asked why she looked an absolute mess.
She stood outside amongst people getting drunk and passing out on the front lawn.
She thought of who she could call to pick her up.
Daddy was out of the question; underage drinking at a huge party with no adult supervision, yeah he'd have cracked it...big time.
Then hearing about what had happened...Steph held her head shaking it just thinking about what the consequences of that would be.
Pacing in the lawn, she'd thought of finding Alvin; he was a reliable friend who'd drop anything for her...but she hadn't seen him for ages and wasn't sure if he was even still there, and the thought of having to go back inside made her feel sick.
She could have called him, but at that point in time, she didn't make that connection.
In the she'd ended up calling Simon; reasons why she's still unsure of.
Probably because she needed to be around someone level headed seeing as how she'd been around too many dickheads that night.
One in particular.
She needed someone who would be there for her, but wouldn't ask too many probing questions.
She walked down the road a little and dialled Simon's phone.
After a slightly odd conversation of Simon asking mostly, "Yeah, but why'd you call me for?" and Steph getting frustrated answering, "Look, you coming to get me or do I need to call a cab?"
Simon had arrived about 20 minutes later, still a little confused as to why Steph had even called him in the first place.
She'd gotten into the car and thanked Simon before she sighed and sat in silence.
Simon had asked how the party was, but got nothing in return.
Steph could tell he sensed something was wrong, but Simon knew, if Steph didn't want to talk, she wouldn't, and so they'd driven home in silence.
On arriving at her house, Steph had thanked Simon again, and made him promise he wouldn't a) ask about her night or b) bring up this night ever again.
A man of his word, Simon nodded and agreed and the night had never been brought up again.
"Steph? Steph?"
Steph shook her head and looked over; Alex was sitting facing her, concerned.
She looked out the window and realised the RV had stopped and turned back to see everyone piled into 'Hot Stuff', sitting around with the same concerned looks on their faces; Alvin sat on the lounge and Theodore sat on the edge of the lounge seat, Brittany, Bruno and now Eleanor sat at the booth while Jeanette stood on the steps and Simon leant on the benches.
She blinked and shook her head again slightly, lowering it, "Sorry, sorry, I just...zoned out" she lifted her head smiling a little.
Alex reached out and took her hand, "Stephi, what happened?"
She looked earnestly at him and shook her head, "I can't say...I, I just can't relive that" she lowered her head again as Simon asked, "This is about what happened at Jackson Mack's party last year huh?"
Steph looked up at him and nodded, the others now looking at him too.
Simon shrugged, "Look I don't know what happened" he looked at Steph, "Steph never said anything to me, I just found it stranger she'd called me to pick her up"
Alvin leant down and scratched his ankle, then sat back up, "Wait you got Simon to pick you up?"
Steph nodded as Alvin asked, "Why?" he shook his head, "I mean why didn't you come find me if you needed a ride home? Or just if something happened, yeah, why didn't you come to me?"
Steph sighed, "Ok, look I just needed to get out. I couldn't call daddy, he'd flip from the scene of the party alone, I hadn't seen you much all night, and I didn't want to go back in and find you, so I called the only other person I knew who'd probably come get me that late in the night" she turned to Simon and smiled, "Didn't even ask what happened, such a sweety"
Simon smiled curtly, then folded his arms, "I may not have asked much, but I took a lot in"
Alex leant back in the driver's seat, "Like what?"
Simon looked at Steph then addressed the rest of the group, "Ok, well, I noticed her hair was a total mess, she had dirt and grass stains all over her and there were bruises on her arms and wrists forming. And your shirt was cut, like it'd been sorta sliced or something"
"Damn" Steph though, "Simon's someone who doesn't ask probing questions, but dammit he's got the eyes of a super sleuth"
Alex darted a look back at Steph, "Bruises? And why was your shirt slashed? Sh*t Steph, what the %$# happened?"
All eyes went back on Steph, who only slumped back in the chair and sighed, "Guys, I'm ok...just don't make me repeat what happened...please? It was a %$# ed up night I'd kinda be happier to forget ok?"
She rolled herself round and faced them all, "Seriously, I'm fine" she smiled, "Now come on, what are we all doing hanging in here? We gots to get you guys on TV in Albuquerque" she laughed and thrust her hands in the air, "Whoo! TV!"
The others looked at each other before shrugging, Simon, Jeanette, Eleanor and Theodore heading back to 'Einstein' while Alvin rejoined Bruno and Brittany at the booth and Alex turned, shaking his head slightly and started the RV back up again.
He indicated and pulled back onto the road, heading closer towards Albuquerque, as Steph exhaled a little, knowing she'd dodged a bullet this time.
But in the game of Russian roulette, you're bound to end up with the gun loaded eventually, and so Steph knew it would only be a matter of time before she'd have to reveal what happened that night.
Arriving in Albuquerque the gang headed to the TV studio where the show was taped.
They were appearing on a popular late night talk show, "Carrie Jones Tonight".
Bruno, Steph and Alex said they'd leave the others to what they needed to do while they'd scout round the city for a while, book the RV in somewhere overnight and come back for the filming (they'd been reserved seats in the second row), when the floor manager, Jenny, a polite young girl, probably in her late 20s with a tattoo of the verse 'John 3:16' on her wrist, smiled saying, "Oh no, we've got you guys booked in the Swanton hotel...all of you" she smiled again and showed the Chipmunks and Chipettes to their green room.
Alex looked at Steph and Bruno shrugging, and smiling, "Sounds good to me then"
Steph giggled, "Oh, so I now have a bad relationship with balconies and hotels" she grinned.
Bruno and Alex looked at her as Alex said, "Yah, apart from I ain't eating no oysters, so therefore, you can bunk with me right?" he gave a slight smile to Bruno, who gave one back as Steph giggled again, "Yes, don't worry, I'm not gonna sneak out"
Alex smiled, kissing her on the cheek, "I know, I trust you" and followed the others into the green room while Steph looked at Bruno, "I wouldn't mind however if you wanted to let me know when you're headed into the shower though" she winked at him, making Bruno raise his eyebrows and smile a little, laughing to himself as they headed in too.
Dave had sent over their outfits for the night, and even Brittany was impressed by the selection, as normally she hated others choosing her outfits for her.
Jenny looked at her clipboard and then around the room, making note of where drinks and food were kept, and the number to dial if they needed anything, "Um, so I'll give you guy's a few minutes before we go through your rehearsal" She checked her clipboard again, flipping through some pages, "So we've got you down for opening with 'Club can't handle me' and closing with 'Girls and Boys of Rock and Roll' We've got the band set up for you guys, um, Dave said you might like to play, but he mentioned Alvin, you'd probably prefer your own guitar?"
Alvin shrugged, flashing a smile "Yeah, thanks babydoll, sounds great"
Jenny smiled and blushed a little as Brittany rolled her eyes; that was the one thing that bugged her most about being Alvin Seville's girlfriend, having to share his flirtatious charm with other females, fans or otherwise.
But she knew it came with the package, and had to just learn to deal with it, which wasn't usually too bad, although when Alvin started finding his groove and lapped up the attention, playing it out and feeding his own ego, Brittany liked to keep close, just in case he needed bringing back to reality.
Jenny nodded and asked if they needed anything else, to which they all shook their heads and left them to it as Alvin sighed and leant back on the lounge.
Alex leant on the wall near the door, "Well, I guess we'll leave you guys to it then. We'll go check in at the hotel and see you guys later for the taping"
Simon nodded, "Thanks guys, have fun looking around" he looked at the others, "I think we're gonna be here a while now"
Alvin looked at the remote and reached out for it, just as Theodore swiped up the remote in his hand and turned the TV on, smiling, "Ooh, Lifestyle Food...I love this channel, I wonder what's on next?" as Alvin groaned and slumped on the lounge.
Simon smiled at Alex, Steph and Bruno, "Yah, have lots of fun"
The three nodded and headed out to explore and find what Albuquerque had to offer.
Alvin looked at the TV and back at Theodore, "Dude, you cannot seriously wanna watch this?"
Theodore looked at the remote, shaking it tauntingly and then at Alvin, "Yep...and I have the remote" he beamed, "My choice"
Alvin frowned and folded his arms, "Dammit" and slumped further into the lounge.
After a while of watching something on organic vegetables Alvin was getting irritated, "C'mon, there's gotta be something else on" he held his hand out, "Gimme Theo"
Theodore brought the remote closer to him, "No, I got the remote first"
Alvin sat up on the edge of the lounge, "Theo, gimme, I'll find something we all wanna watch"
Jeanette shrugged, picking up a few grapes, "Doesn't bother me too much what's on"
"Me either" Simon added and stood to help himself to the mini bar.
Alvin looked at Eleanor then Brittany, "Kay well I know Eleanor will sway Theo's way, Britt you with me, change this sh*t?"
Brittany shrugged and searched through her purse for her lip gloss, "I don't really care Alvin, you seem to be the only one who's fired up about what's on TV...just don't watch it, easy"
Alvin rolled his eyes, "Fat load of good you are then"
Brittany shook her head and stood up, heading to the fruit platter on the coffee table while Alvin turned his attention back at Theodore, "Theo, change the channel"
Theodore shook his head, "Uh-uh, rules are rules Alvin, just like at home; you get the remote first, you choose what to watch"
Alvin narrowed his eyes, "'Cept we're not at home, Theo" he stood up and walked over to Theodore, ready to snatch the remote from his hands, but Theodore quickly hid the remote behind his back, Alvin groaning and rolling his eyes, "Oh come on, real mature Theodore!" as Theodore grinned and lay back to stop Alvin from getting the remote.
Simon pointed out, "Yeah, and carrying on like a little kid is so much more mature, Alvin" he said sarcastically.
Alvin walked up to Simon and got up close to his face, "Who asked you, Simon?" and folded his arms.
Simon shook his head, "You've got no reason to get upset. Theodore's right, he got the remote first, he gets the choice of what we watch" he shrugged, "Just sit back, relax and chill out before we rehearse"
Alvin closed his eyes and lowered his head shaking it slightly, "%$# that" he turned and headed to the door as Eleanor called out, "Where are you going? We're needed soon"
Alvin opened the door and turned back, "I'll be back, don't freak out" he stepped out and closed the door behind him.
Everyone looked at Brittany, who shrugged, "What?"
Jeanette tilted her head to the side and glanced at the door, then at Brittany, "You're not going after him?"
Brittany shook her head, "Why? Clearly he's pissed off at something" she folded her arms and sat back on the lounge, "I'm not getting involved in that...I need to focus before rehearsal"
Simon threw the rest of his water down and shook his head, "Fine, I'll go find out then" and he left the green room after Alvin.
Alvin hadn't gone far, just wandered around the corridors.
Simon found him sitting on a top step of the stairs leading up to the lighting booms.
Alvin was stretched out, relaxing back on his elbows and nodded as Simon came and sat next to him, "Couldn't resist coming after me huh?"
Simon gave a small smile, "Just making sure you're ok"
Alvin tilted his head back, opening his mouth and stretching his jaw.
He tilted it back and looked at Simon, "Sorry, Si. I just can't get what you said about Steph...why didn't she come to me? Didn't she think I'd help her out?"
Simon shrugged, "I dunno...Like I said, I'm still confused as to why she called me...how'd the conversation even come up?"
Alvin smirked, "Uh, well we went from me sleep talking to my blankie", Simon smirked as Alvin continued, "And that went to what others do in their sleep, and then I started on crap I know 'bout Steph...and yeah" Alvin sat up a bit, leaning on his knees, "What'd you reckon happened?"
Simon shifted a little to make himself more comfortable and clasped his hands loosely, "Well..." he turned to Alvin, "And you know I'm not one to speculate" Alvin nodded as Simon continued, "But my guess, is...I think she was attacked somehow"
Alvin reeled his head back a little, frowning, "Attacked?"
Simon nodded, "Yeah, well she had bruises on her arms and wrists, maybe from someone holding her, and she had dirt stains on her knees and up her arm and on her clothing. She also looked like she'd been crying or something and then there was her shirt, slashed like I said"
Alvin shook his head, "And you never said a word of this to any of us, why's that?"
Simon sighed, "Steph made me promise not to, she was obviously freaked out by something that happened that night"
Alvin nodded and looked at his hands, "Yeah she's good at getting people to keep their promises to her"
Simon nudged him, "Only cause we know what the alternative would be"
Alvin shook his head, "Yeah that's not pretty" he shifted a little and sighed, "Since seeing how much, whatever happened has affected her, I've been rackin' my brain tryin' to think what the hell could've happened"
Simon shrugged, "But that's only going to lead to assumptions...maybe Steph will tell us, eventually...when she's ready and all"
Alvin nodded as Jenny came to the foot of the stairs, "Oh here you are" she smiled, and beckoned them with her hand, "Come on then, we need to do a sound check before rehearsals"
Simon and Alvin nodded at her and stood up, each rubbing their butts a little from sitting on the metal stairs and headed down, following Jenny to the studio.
Meanwhile, Steph and the guys had checked into the hotel and were a little less amused that Dave had booked the rooms; one for guys, one for girls.
They each had two rooms that shared a bathroom in the middle, and each room had 2 double beds and a single.
Steph shrugged, "One night, won't be so bad I guess" and suggested they head out into the city.
After finding a few unique shops and sideway stalls, they were all getting hungry, so they found an ice cream parlour and headed in.
Sitting in the booth with their ice creams Alex asked, "So you're really not gonna say what happened then?"
Steph smiled and nodded at him, licking her ice cream, "Yep. Not sayin' a word" she wiped her mouth with a napkin, "Trust me, it's probably better you don't know...just in case, ya know?"
Bruno shook his head, "Yeah but we both don't know anyone who was even at this party, so what does it matter?"
Alex nodded, agreeing and pulled the chocolate flake from his ice cream, licking it, before taking a bite.
Steph leant back in the booth, and folded her arms, "%$# you guys are persistent" and shook her head, "You're getting nothing though, I'm like Pandora's Box...as tempting as it may be, it's better if you don't open it so all hell don't break loose"
Alex sighed, "Fine, then" he started munching on the cone of his ice cream, "What we doing after this then?"
Steph pulled her phone out from her pocket and checked the time, "We still got another couple of hours before we're needed back" she bit the end of her cone and sucked the ice cream through, smiling at the guys who looked at her, "What? You guys never did this as kids?"
Bruno nodded, "Well, yeah, but...well not now" he smiled.
Steph shrugged, "I may be 18, but I still haven't grown up" she smiled and continued sucking all the ice cream through, trying not to laugh as Bruno and Alex laughed at her.
They headed down the street when Steph asked, "Hey Bruno?"
He turned to her, "Hey what?"
"When is your birthday?"
Bruno gave a small smile, "Ok, random question, uh it's on Friday actually"
Steph stopped and held his arm, making him stop "Whoa, like this Friday?"
Bruno looked at her hand and back at her, "Yeah, like this Friday"
Alex folded his arms, smirking, "And you were just gonna let it slip past huh?"
Bruno pointed his fingers at him and clicked his tongue, "You got it" he shrugged and put his hands in his pockets, "Look, I've never made a big deal of my birthday; it comes and goes every year"
Steph laughed, "Yeah but you'll be 18, like me" she beamed.
Bruno nodded, "Yeah, but look, I'm happy to keep it low key, ok?"
Alex nodded his head as Steph shook hers, "%$# that! We need to plan something"
She started walking down the street again talking aloud, "Hmm, what can we do? Wait where will we be?"
Alex shrugged, "I have no idea, we'll have to ask Simon, he's the one who's all over the map thing"
Bruno laughed a little, "Seriously, I don't need much"
Steph waved him off, "Shut up you, you have no say in this"
Bruno looked at her laughing again, "Oh so my birthday and I get no say? How's that fair?"
Steph wrapped her arm round him, "You just leave everything to me" she winked, "Trust me"
Bruno laughed nervously, "Great...I think"
She punched him playfully, "Shut up, it'll be great...once I think of something" she smiled and pointed to a store, "Ooh! Let's go in there"
Bruno and Alex stopped short and looked at the store, then at each other, "Seriously?"
"That store?"
Steph nodded and bounced up and down, "Come on, I haven't been in one of these since I was a kid" she raced over and entered the store as Bruno and Alex looked at each other shrugging, "Kills time" Bruno pointed out as Alex laughed a little, "This is true" and they headed towards the store, following Steph inside.
Back in the studio, the guys were all checking the sound on their instruments, Alvin occasionally calling out to the sound guys to change or tweak certain things.
He was quite finicky when it came to performing, no matter how big of small the gig was, everything had to be just right.
The girls were just off stage pitching their voices and doing some routine vocal exercises.
Alvin strummed his guitar a few times before stopping and thrusting a thumbs up, "Cheers buddy, that's spot on"
The sound guy gave a thumbs up back to say he'd received the message as Theodore came up to Alvin, adjusting his headset mic, "So what are we going through first?"
Alvin shrugged, "Rock n Roll I guess, we're all set for it, so yeah, makes sense I guess" he broke out a few chords and riffs on his guitar.
Theodore nodded and headed off the set to find the girls as a bubbly blonde woman came into the studio carrying a large coffee, followed by a small entourage of other people all carrying clipboards or notes and wearing headset, "Oh, hey guys, I'm Carrie Jones" the woman came up to Alvin and shook his hand before greeting everyone else.
She took a sip of her coffee and smiled, "Thanks so much for coming on tonight"
Simon smiled, "It's our pleasure, we were headed through here anyway" and lifted the saxophone to his lips, wetting the reed.
Carrie smiled again, "I'm such a big fan of you guys anyway, and I'm like totally looking forward to you guys performing"
Brittany smiled, "Well you're just in time for our rehearsal"
Carrie beamed, "In that case" she turned and sat in the audience, "Please, go on"
Alvin smiled to the others as the girls got into position; they'd decided seeing as how the guys were now playing live, the girls should do some kind of dance routine.
He nodded up to the sound desk to hit the backing track as Theodore started on the drums and Alvin came in with his guitar and stepped to the microphone, singing duet with Brittany on the opening verse, before the girls took the verse on their own.
As they were singing and playing, Alvin couldn't help but enjoy himself, and he remembered why he loved this piece so much – although playing it live was WAY better than dancing around.
Steph marvelled at the huge array of toys stationed around the store; Bickerman's was a huge toy store chain, and Steph used to love spending hours just wandering the aisles as a kid.
Now she just wanted some fun...and perhaps create some chaos.
Bruno and Alex followed a few steps behind as Steph wandered down an aisle of pink.
The guys groaned and followed her, "Girls toys?"
Steph laughed, "What? I'm a girl" she picked up a doll and looked at it, turning the box around in her hands.
Bruno, feeling a little out of place amongst the cutesy dolls and playsets asked, "What are you looking for?"
Steph shrugged, "Nothing really, just looking" she put the box back and looked further down the aisle, grinning as something caught her eye, "Ah-ha, c'mere gimme a hand"
Alex rolled his eyes and scuffed his feet walking beside her, "With what?" and looked at a row of dolls in front of him.
Steph laughed and looked at him, then at Bruno, who was still standing in the middle of the aisle.
She smiled, shaking her head and went over, grabbing his hand and pulled him over.
Bruno folded his arms and looked at Steph blankly, "Yep, more dolls, yay"
Steph rolled her eyes, "You guys don't get it do ya?"
Alex smirked, "Clearly no"
"Are we that obvious?" Bruno joked.
Steph shook her head, "Look, these little bubbas dance and sing when you press them down...and we're gonna make 'em all go off at the same time" she grinned as Alex and Bruno looked at each other then back at Steph.
She sighed dramatically and pushed them until they were in front of a few dolls each and instructed them, "So on my count, we push as many as we can until they're all going off"
Bruno looked at the dolls and back at Steph, "Riiight"
Steph rolled her eyes and smiled, "Just do it, or I'll whip you ass" she turned to the dolls and counted down, "Ok, 3, 2, 1 GO"
The three started pushing every doll down, each starting its own song and dance.
Once they'd pressed them all, and created quite the noise buzz, the guys couldn't help but laugh; it was strangely satisfying watching a whole row of dolls bop and sing totally out of sync and a few seconds behind one another.
Steph laughed and wandered further down the aisle to find a whole new set of dolls that spoke and proceeded to press as many of those as she could, while Bruno turned and found some puppies that moved and made noises when you patted their backs; so he went ahead and did that, setting them all off whimpering and moving around.
Alex was in the middle of setting off a bunch of cutesy alien looking dolls that talked jibberish when you pressed their tummies, when a sales clerk poked his head around and looked down the aisle, frowning when he saw who was creating all the commotion.
Steph took one look at him, laughed and ran off to another aisle, the guys following, looking down aisles until they found her in one that had a whole heap of scooters, bikes, skateboards and such, plus a lot of sporting gear.
Steph had picked up a few random things, like a football helmet and shoulder pads, which she'd happily put on, before hopping on a BMX bike and started slowly riding it back to the guys, riding circles around them (as best as she could given the tight space) as they laughed at her.
"You look ridiculous" Alex said, tapping her on the top of the helmet as she rode past.
She put her feet out and steadied herself on the bike, "Ridiculous, or sexy?"she battered her eyelashes and pouted her lips, turning the bike, pedalling a little down the aisle before bringing her feet up to the handlebars and cruised along.
Bruno and Alex looked at each other laughing before chasing after her.
Bruno grabbed a skateboard from the shelf and dropped it to the ground, pushing himself off along after Steph, weaving down the long aisle, kicking a few flips as he went along.
Alex had pulled a scooter from its stand and picked up speed down the aisle, adding a few tricks in along the way.
Reaching the end of the aisle, Steph slowed down and turned the bike around to head back up, when the sales clerk who'd seen them setting all the other toys off just before, approached her, not looking too amused.
Steph smiled at him through the helmet, "Hi ya mister"
"Miss, what are you doing?" he asked, arms folded and creases forming on his brow.
Steph shrugged as Alex and Bruno came riding to a halt on either side of the sales clerk, "We're having fun; this is a toy store right?"
The guy shook his head, "We can't have you riding around the store though; it's just not store policy"
Bruno raised his eyebrow at the guy, "Why not? Toy stores are supposed to be fun, and that's what we're doing"
The guy frowned and was about to say something as Steph hopped off the bike and leant on the handlebars, swaying gently, "Ok, so if we can't have fun, think of us as toy testers, if they can handle what we can do, then they're totally worth selling" she beamed.
Alex laughed and kicked the scooter around, riding back down the aisle as Steph smiled at Bruno, eyeing the skateboard, "Swapsies?"
The sales clerk watched as the teens rode away from him, taking no notice of his attempt to stamp authority.
Bruno nodded and got on the bike as Steph steadied herself on the skateboard and held onto the back of the bike, "Go baby!"
Bruno laughed and started pedalling back down the aisle, pulling Steph on the skateboard behind him, laughing as she squealed when he picked up speed.
Alex had reached the other end of the aisle and turned to see Bruno swerve slightly to let Steph roll on ahead...and the sales clerk walking quickly and ranting something after them.
Problem was, Steph was not a very good skateboarder and after keeping her balance for a majority of the way down the aisle she soon realised she had no idea how to stop, and she was headed to the end of the line.
She squealed and jumped off the board, sending it backwards (she must have kicked it back when she jumped) and stumbled to the ground, laughing, "Ow!"
Bruno skidded next to her as Alex's eyes went wide and a smile crept on his face, "Uh-oh, we're gonna be in sh*t"
Steph and Bruno looked at him then behind them to catch the moment the board slipped under the sales clerk's foot, sending him into a classic slapstick fall.
The three flinched back as they watched, "Oohh...oww"
Steph grabbed the guy's hands and bolted down to the other end of the store, heading towards the exit.
Outside, catching their breath, Steph jumped up and down, "%$# that was fun"
Alex and Bruno nodded, "Yeah, but we should probably think of heading back soon"
Steph noticed another store just a few down and grinned, "I think we need some new threads for tonight"
Bruno looked at her, "What are you, living in the early 90s or somethin'? Threads?"
Steph laughed and pushed the guys down the road, "Shut up would you? Look any excuse to get me some new clothes is a good one"
Alex rolled his eyes, "Gosh what is it with women and clothes shopping?"
Bruno smirked as Steph turned, walking backwards into the store and pulling the guys by their hands, "Oh come on...who knows maybe I'll do a runway?" she giggled and turned to face the vast array of fashion spread out in front of them.
Bruno nodded, "I'll admit it, I reckon I could find a hell've a wardrobe in here"
Alex nudged him, "Yeah, you may be in need of some more clothing man"
Bruno looked down at his clothes and shrugged, "Limited funds, you work with whatcha got man"
Alex nodded, "Tell ya what, stock up, I'll cover it"
Bruno smiled, his eyes widening, "Serious?"
Alex nodded, "Yeah, think of it as an early birthday present"
Steph beamed and grabbed Bruno's hand, "Someone else is paying? Stock up massive!"
Alex laughed and followed along after them as they headed further into the store.
After a few hours of rehearsals, they were all sitting back in the green room, preparing themselves for the night's performance and interview.
Each of them had their own way of preparing mentally for an interview; Simon chose to recluse himself, often drowning himself in the latest news and current affairs, Jeanette liked to listen to calming music or if that wasn't possible, she'd be happy to just read; Theodore liked to watch TV and he found he could ease the butterflies much better when Eleanor was present, in this case, sitting next to him, cuddled into him as they watched the TV together; Brittany spent her time sitting, standing, pacing, talking to herself, pampering, primping, and generally annoying everyone til someone, (usually Eleanor) got sick of it and told her to sit down, shut up and relax.
Alvin's mental prep changed depending on his mood; sometimes he liked mucking about, pulling pranks, sometimes he'd just want to sit back and zone out to his own music, sometimes he liked wandering the halls and corridors (if there were any).
That night he'd found some ping pong balls (gosh knows where) and a large plastic beer cup and was trying to bounce the ball into the cup.
He'd landed a few basic shots and was now trying to land some trick shots.
Everyone had gradually stopped what they were doing to watch.
"Hah! I'm freakin' on fire tonight!" he cheered, thrusting his hands in the air and standing up after landing the ball into the cup from bouncing it off the coffee table, off the roof and into the cup.
Brittany squealed with delight, "At first this was totally annoying me, but that one was pretty cool"
Alvin strutted around the coffee table and bent down to pick the ball up, "Freakin' A it was pretty cool" he stood up and juggled the ball in his hand a few times, "Only cause I'm freakin' awesome"
Simon smirked, "Naturally"
There was a knock on the door as Alvin turned and opened it, smiling as Bruno, Alex and Steph entered, "Hey guys, come on in"
Bruno laughed a little, "So this is what you guys get up to in the green room?"
Alvin laughed and tossed one of the ping pong balls into the air, catching it in the other hand.
Jeanette sat forward on the lounge and smiled, "So what'd you guys get up to? I see shopping was in the mix?"
Steph looked down, admiring her new outfit and smiled, "Yeah, well we went for ice cream and created a little havoc at the toy store before heading out and getting us all gussied up"
Brittany giggled, "Oh yeah, you guys look great in your gussied up outfits"
Bruno and Alex looked down at what they were wearing and smirked back at the others as Steph laughed, "OK, so gussy probably isn't the right word, but we look damn hot right?"
Brittany nodded as Alvin asked, "You went to the toy store without me?" aiming the ping pong ball to line up another shot.
Bruno shrugged, "The joys of not being famous, we don't have any media commitments" he smirked as Theodore asked, "So did you buy anything?"
Alex shook his head, "Nah, but we probably should have the amount of toys and stuff we sorta tested out"
Steph shrugged, "Yeah maybe" she shook her head recalling, "Poor sales guy"
Simon looked at the three as they laughed again, "What happened to him? What'd you do?"
Bruno shrugged, holding his hands out, "He just kinda...slipped" he smirked a little.
Just then Jenny and another woman entered the room and noticed three more teens in the green room, "Oh hi, sorry guys I'm gonna have to ask you to make your way back into the audience now, you can follow Candice back, we need these guys to get into hair and makeup"
Bruno and Alex wished them all the best and followed Candice out as Steph made rock star gestures with her fingers, "Rock out guys, see you out there" and headed out the door.
Jenny turned her attention back to the group, "Ok, so come on and follow me, we'll get you all into hair and makeup and then you can come back in and get changed" She paused a moment, "Oh, um...do you need separate dressing rooms?"
Alvin looked at Brittany and winked as she giggled and shook her head at him.
Simon rolled his eyes and said, "Separate would be great" as Alvin turned and said at the same time, "Together is fine"
Simon looked back at Alvin and glared a little as Alvin shrugged, "What?"
Simon shook his head and turned back to Jenny, "Yeah, if you've got separate dressing rooms that'd be great"
Jenny nodded and stepped out the green room, talking into her headset.
As she did Simon walked over and pulled Alvin aside, "Look, I know you might think it'd be great to join Brittany in getting changed and whatever, but remember we need to act professional here, and I'm sure you don't want it getting out that the girls and us all shared a dressing room?"
Alvin rolled his eyes and scuffed his foot, "Geez you're blowing this outta proportion" he sighed, "Fine, whatever"
Jenny came back in and smiled at the group, "Ok no drama, follow me, I'll take you to the hair and makeup rooms, just leave your stuff here, I'll lock it in"
They all followed her down the corridor and around the corner as she directed the girls into one room and the guys into the other, pointing to the rooms opposite she said, "Ok, so we'll put you guys in this dressing room and girls you can take this one, I'll get wardrobe to ferry your outfits up"
They smiled and thanked her, and headed in to get their hair and makeup done; which for the guys took only a matter of minutes while for the girls it took close to an hour.
After he'd finished, Jenny pulled Alvin aside, "Um, Alvin, Carrie wants to know if you'd be ok doing like a serenade to one of the audience members?"
Alvin rubbed his neck, "Uhh, what just me?"
Jenny shrugged, "Well, I guess if you need back up, your brothers will be there"
Alvin nodded, "Yeah I guess so...um...ok, sure?" he smiled, "Nah that sounds ok...I'll try and think of something on the fly to sing hey?"
Jenny smiled, "I'm sure you'll be able to come up with something, if not our DJ has heaps of songs on file, just flag him what you want and we'll take it from there" and headed down the corridor as Alvin thought he should probably let Britt know, just so it didn't come as a shock to her or anything.
Waiting in the audience, Bruno lounged back and checked out the audience members; this chick sure did bring in a diverse crowd.
One girl caught his attention.
He turned, frowning a little then looked back, focusing his eyes to get a better look.
Steph, who'd been chatting to Alex turned her attention to Bruno and noticed he was looking back.
She looked in his direction, as did Alex, before she nudged him, "Whatcha lookin' at?"
Bruno turned his head and shook it, "Uh, not what, who"
Alex lowered his eyebrows, "Huh?"
Bruno looked back before turning back to Steph and Alex, "It's just, I think I know someone here...but maybe it's just a look-a-like, cause it can't be her; we're too far from my hometown for it to be her"
Steph laughed, "Ahhh, a girl...old flame, high school sweetheart?"
Bruno forced a laugh, "Ah no...well not quite...half true"
Alex tilted his head, leaning it on his hand, which he'd propped on the arm of the chair, "How's it half true?"
Bruno sighed, and leant back in the chair, "Ok, so I liked this girl...a lot"
"Ooooo" Steph interrupted, giggling.
He gave her a look, "Yeah, but it was a little one-sided...ok a lot one sided"
Steph looked behind her, then at Bruno, "Who wouldn't like you?" she reached out and pinched his cheek gently, saying in a patronising tone, "You're just so adorable"
He slapped her hand away, laughing, "Piss off", he sighed and looked down at his hands, "Yeah I asked her out a few times, she knew I liked her...but she was part of the popular group and listened a little more to them" he thought back, "I even summoned enough courage to ask her to the school dance" he looked at Steph, smiling a little, "Before you say anything, shut the %$# up"
Steph giggled as Bruno continued, "I didn't really wanna go, but the fact she'd said yes, well kinda gave me something to strive for, ya know?" Alex and Steph nodded as Bruno sighed, "But I got stood up and felt like a total dick for believing she'd end up with me...so I took out my pent up frustration on a brick wall outside...I tried to talk to her about it the following day at school, but she just ignored my attempts, the jocks deciding I needed to be told by other means behind the bleachers to stay away from her"
Steph gasped, "They beat up on you?"
Bruno gave a weak smile and nodded, "Yeah, I managed to take a few on, but when it's like six against one, well...yeah" he scuffed his foot a little, "I later found out her friends had gotten into her ear and well, I guess cause I wasn't up to their elite level to go out with one of their own, cause that'd mean they'd all have to actually pay attention to me and sh*t, she couldn't live up to that or something...I tried at other times to talk to her, but man she had her friends swarmed around her like a SWAT team, they'd come outta nowhere and whisk her away...then I got expelled and haven't seen her round since"
Steph's head whipped up, "Wait, you got expelled? When? Why?" he voice sounded a little excited.
Bruno smirked, and told her the story of how he got expelled, as she and Alex laughed.
Steph calmed herself down and thought back, frowning, "Wait, so this chick blew you off cause of her preppy friends?" she folded her arms, "She listened to them, holding onto her popularity instead of getting to know what a great guy you are?"
Bruno shrugged as Steph slouched back in the chair, "What a %$# ing skank!"
Alex nudged Steph, "Hey, easy, you don't know her"
Steph's eyes widened at him, "Don't need to, just hearing that, what she did to Bruno" she turned back, looking between Bruno and Alex, "What a %$# ing shallow bitch"
Bruno folded his arms and raised his eyebrow, "What happened to you not liking to judge people before you meet them and sh*t?"
Steph shrugged, "Usually I don't...I'll give anyone the time of day, trust me, but %$# around with my friends, then we got issues; I'll play judge, jury and executioner in that trial"
The floor manager came on, exciting the crowds and indicating the show was going to start soon.
Bruno sighed and settled into his seat, whispering, "Look, it's probably not even her, so let's not jump to conclusions, just forget what I said, ok?"
Steph took one more look back in the direction Bruno was looking and tilted her head before turning it back to the set, thinking, "If it is her, and she crosses my path, %$# she better watch out"